Hydrogeochemistry and chemical mass transfer through undisturbed lowland and upland Colombian catchments

Supervisors : Dr John Pitman, Dr, Nick Drake, Dr. Mark Mulligan, Department of Geography, Kings College London

The supply of nutrients by chemical weathering and biogeochemical processes is poorly understood in tropical forest environments. This project will investigate the interaction between rock, sediments and waters, at the sub-catchment scale, in both surface and sub-surface environments using field retrieved hydrogeochemistry and rock/sediment mineralogy. The mass tranfer of ions from atmosphere via litter, soil water, groundwater and river runoff will be monitored over two annual cycles along with the associated hydrological fluxes. Modelling of chemical processes and mass transfers will be undertaken using the geochemical code PHREEQE.

One possible outcome of this project will be realistic estimates of rock/sediment weathering rates and soil formation.

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Malmer A, Grip H (1994) Converting Tropical Rain-Forest To Forest Plantation In Sabah, Malaysia .2. Effects On Nutrient Dynamics And Net Losses In Streamwater. Hydrological Processes, 1994, Vol.8, No.3, Pp.195-209

Cornejo FH, Varela A, Wright SJ (1994) Tropical Forest Litter Decomposition Under Seasonal Drought - Nutrient Release, Fungi And Bacteria. Oikos, 1994, Vol.70, No.2, Pp.183-190